Cosentyx (secukinumab, formerly AIN457) is recommended as first-line systemic therapy for the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in adult patients in Europe
In Phase III studies, 70% or more patients achieved clear skin (PASI 100) or almost clear skin (PASI 90) with secukinumab 300 mg during the first 16 weeks of treatment[1]
Clinical trials consistently showed very high skin clearance, sustained efficacy and a favorable safety profile for secukinumab[1]-[3]

Basel, November 21, 2014 - Novartis announced today that the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has adopted a positive opinion recommending approval of Cosentyx(TM) (secukinumab, formerly known as AIN457) as a first-line systemic* treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in adults who are candidates for systemic* therapy.

This recommendation would mean doctors could use secukinumab first-line to treat their psoriasis patients, as an alternative to other first-line systemic treatments, which have significant side effects[4]. Currently, all biologic treatments for psoriasis, including anti- tumor necrosis factor therapies (anti-TNFs) and ustekinumab are recommended for second-line systemic therapy in Europe[5]-[7].

Secukinumab (at a dose of 300 mg) is the first interleukin-17A (IL-17A) inhibitor to be recommended as a first-line treatment option for psoriasis patients who require systemic therapy in Europe. Secukinumab works by inhibiting the action of IL-17A, a protein that is found in high concentrations in skin affected by the disease[8]-[13].

"This positive CHMP opinion for secukinumab as a first-line treatment of psoriasis brings us one step closer to approval in Europe and making clear skin a reality for psoriasis patients," said David Epstein, Division Head, Novartis Pharmaceuticals. "With this exciting news, we may change the way psoriasis is treated, as 50% of patients are unhappy with their current psoriasis therapies, demonstrating an urgent need for new treatments that clear skin faster and for a longer time."

The ultimate aim of psoriasis treatment is clear skin for patients. In clinical studies, 70% or more patients achieved clear skin (PASI 100) or almost clear skin (PASI 90) with secukinumab 300 mg during the first 16 weeks of treatment[1],[14].

The CHMP opinion was based on the positive results of the Phase III clinical trial program in moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis and follows the unanimous recommendation of approval in October from the Dermatologic and Ophthalmic Drugs Advisory Committee (DODAC) to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)[1]-[3],[14].

In these trials, secukinumab consistently demonstrated very high skin clearance, including superiority to Enbrel®** (etanercept) in the head-to-head FIXTURE study[1]-[3],[14]. 70% or more secukinumab 300 mg patients achieved clear skin (PASI 100) or almost clear skin (PASI 90) during the first 16 weeks of treatment in the FIXTURE and ERASURE studies; this was maintained in the majority of patients up to Week 52 (with continued treatment)[1]-[3],[14]. Secukinumab patients in the FIXTURE, ERASURE, FEATURE and JUNCTURE studies (reviewed by the US FDA) also observed significant differences as early as Week 2 and on average, secukinumab 300 mg patients had symptoms reduced by 50% by Week 3, compared to Week 7 for Enbrel®** (etanercept) patients, in FIXTURE[1]-[3],[14]. Secukinumab demonstrated a favorable safety profile, with similar incidence and severity of adverse events between secukinumab treatment arms (300 mg and 150 mg)[1]-[3],[14].

The European Commission reviews the recommendations of the CHMP. The final decision on approval, usually granted in approximately two months of the CHMP opinion, will be applicable to all European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA) countries.

About Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by thick and extensive skin lesions, called plaques, known to cause itching, scaling and pain; it is associated with significant impairment of physical and psychological quality of life[15]-[17]. Psoriasis affects up to 3% of the world's population, or more than 125 million people[18]. In Europe, the estimate is about 0.8%, which means that plaque psoriasis affects about 3.7 million Europeans, with about 2.4 million considered to have moderate-to-severe disease[19].

This common and distressing condition is not simply a cosmetic problem - even people with very mild symptoms are affected everyday[15]. Furthermore, there is an urgent need for new psoriasis treatments, as up to 50% of patients are not content with current therapies, including biologic treatments[15],[20]-[22].

About Cosentyx(TM) (secukinumab) and interleukin-17A (IL-17A)
Secukinumab is a human monoclonal antibody that selectively neutralizes IL-17A[8],[9]. IL-17A is found in high concentrations in skin affected by psoriasis and is a preferred target for investigational therapies[8]-[13].

Phase IIIb studies in psoriasis are also ongoing, including the head-to-head CLEAR study of secukinumab versus Stelara®*** in moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis and studies in palmo-plantar psoriasis, nail psoriasis and palmo-plantar pustulosis.

Secukinumab is also in Phase III development for psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS); regulatory applications for secukinumab in these arthritic conditions are planned for 2015.

Disclaimer
The foregoing release contains forward-looking statements that can be identified by words such as "positive opinion," "recommended," "recommending," "would," "could," "may," "aim," "will," "investigational," "ongoing," "planned," or similar terms, or by express or implied discussions etc.etc.